Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-08-05
Unjust DETERMINATIONS.

We copy below extracts from the Rural
Vermonter and the Burlington Free Press
which contain food for reflection Every
person in NermOnt-be he merchant, farm
err manufacturer or daily laborer-has IA
vital interest in the removal of the notori-
ously arbitrary and unjust determinations
practiced by the railroads against our own
citizens in the matter of freghts, and the
interstate commerce commission now offers
an easy opportunity to be heard, which may
not happen again for many months, if ever
1t ought to be improved, and the Governor
cannot do an act so directly involving the
interest of all the people of the state as to
employ competent counsel to present the
peoples cause to the commission The fol
lowing is copied from the Rural Vermonter
we hear that an application to the gov
ernor by the Vermont state grange is con
templated for employment of counsel in
behalf of the state, at the hearing before
the interstate commission, at Rutland, Sep
tember /. Section l2S of the Revised Laws
is as follows; The governor may employ
counsel in behalf of the state when in his
Judgment the protection of the rights of
the state demand it, Competent authori-
ty holds that under this section of the law
the governor can assign counsel 10 present
evidence or arguments TO the commission
respecting the grievances the people of the
state suffer through discriminating, eXces-
sive or unjust charges by the railroads. If
such application is made to the governor it
ought TO be granted. He has in pursu-
ance of discretionary power vested in him,
Just ordered an extra three days drill of
the militia making eight days in all, which
VIII cost the state several thousand dollars.
This is for patriotic and proper purpose,
and the people will approve the governors
action in this respect, Much more hearth
ly VIII they approve executive assistance.
winch Will cost but few hundred dollars,
TO defend the interests of the great mass of
the people. The material welfare of the
state at large is directly concerned, and il
is proper that the state, not few individ-
uals, should undertake the presentation of
the evidence or arguments which the inter
state commission has invited, and should
pay the bills. 1t is not often that the farm
ing or general business interests of the
state ask iavors of the government The
one IN question is so entirely reasona able
that, we say again, it ought TO be granted -
The Free Press closes strong article on
this subject as follows:
THE only question that we can see, which
could be raised in opposition To such use of
the ample power thus given 70 the governor,
is whether it is for the interest of the state
to have its farming interest receive the pro
lection to which it is entitled by law The
railroad interest of the state is a rich and
powerful interest, and there can be no fear
that its side will not be fully and ably rep
resented. The interests of the people, and
especially of the farmer, should also be full
ly and ably presented. But they are not
likely 10 he so presented unless it is made
the business of some one 10 look after them.
The case seems to us one in which it is en-
tirely proper that the state grange should
step forward, and one in which, since the
protection of the rights of the great mass